Our dog, Joshua, develops "hot spots" in the heat of summer, and constantly chews his back and his bobtail until it is raw and the hair is gone. I have tried all kinds of ointments with no success. So I have devised a collar that I can slip over his head to prevent him from being able to reach those spots to chew. I measured the distance from the back of his ear to his shoulder. (5 inches) Then I measured around his neck. I added a little to this measurement so that the collar would not be too tight.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My 5 month puppy has to wear a plastic cone, e-collar, due to a procedure done. Does anyone have suggestion how to make a more comfortable one?
By Teresa Kirkland from Saint Paris, OH
Years ago I decided there had to be a cheaper, more humane version of the Elizabethan collar, so I made one from a plastic milk jug. I had to play with it a bit cutting here and there. I put little cuts along the collar line and laced my dog's collar thru it to keep it in place.
I used the plastic one from the vet as a pattern and made one out of a very heavy interfacing type of material from the fabric store. It is kind of rigid but flexible at the same time. I ironed on fabric on both sides before cutting it out; sewed around all the edges with the zig zag stitch; and then used strips of Velcro on the ends. I used this on both cats and dogs and they seemed to tolerate it much easier than the plastic ones.
I used a plastic container from deli section. Cut bottom off, covered cut edge with duct tape, punched holes through duct taped edge and threaded long shoe lace through. Put an adjustable dog collar through and that was all. Made it several years ago and still using it!
Our dog has to wear one of those big plastic 'Elizabeth' collars to keep him from scratching his eyes. Anyone know of a method of fastening (or adding fasteners which will not scratch) that permits a quick on and off? We are permitted to take it off as long as we keep our eyes on him - the moment he starts scratching, the collar goes back on.
I assume you're finding out the cause of the eye irritation? I would just leave the collar on most of the time since he'll duck around the corner and scratch when it's off and set the healing of the problem back. Do you know what's causing it?
He had scratched corneas. Don't know why. Probably because the distemper made his eyes flare up and he tried to relieve the itching. Is on meds.
take a piece of foam rubber about 2inches thick depending on the size of your dog, measure it around his neck, then cover it with either a soft canvas or a strong curtain material, attach velcro to the ends and wrap this around his neck, fasten with the velcro, he wont be able to reach his sore spots, and it is far more comfortable then and Elizabethan pet collar. I often use this method for my Chows when they get hot spots or sores on their body or legs, it works and is not in the way of getting caught in doors or banging into furniture. Give it a try you will find your dog much more comfortable in it, good luck
Could you use velcro to close it with so getting in and out would be easier? You can buy the stick on type for easy applying.
